Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a first time period: detecting a direction of motion of a trailer; detecting a first force applied to a kingpin; detecting an incline angle of the trailer; calculating a first target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the incline angle; and in response to the first force falling below the first target preload force, triggering a motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion. The method further includes, during a second time period: detecting a second force applied to the kingpin; detecting a decline angle of the trailer; calculating a second target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the decline angle; and in response to the second force falling below the second target preload force, triggering the motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a kingpin including: a head; a base coupled to a proximal end of the trailer; a shank interposed between the head and the base; a first sensor configured to output signals representing lateral forces applied to the kingpin; and a second sensor configured to output signals representing longitudinal forces applied to the kingpin. The system further includes a controller configured to: access a first signal from the first sensor representing a lateral force applied to the kingpin; access a second signal from the second sensor representing a longitudinal force applied to the kingpin; calculate a direction and a magnitude of a force applied to the kingpin based on the first and second signals; and trigger a motor arranged on a distal end of the trailer to output a torque in the direction of the force and proportional to the magnitude of the force.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes, during a first time period: detecting a direction of motion of a trailer; detecting a first force applied to a kingpin; detecting an incline angle of the trailer; calculating a first target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the incline angle; and in response to the first force falling below the first target preload force, triggering a motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion. The method further includes, during a second time period: detecting a second force applied to the kingpin; detecting a decline angle of the trailer; calculating a second target preload force opposite the direction of motion and inversely proportional to the decline angle; and in response to the second force falling below the second target preload force, triggering the motor to increase torque output opposite the direction of motion.

Abstract: One variation of a system for power distribution of a trailer includes: a trailer chassis; a driven axle suspended from the trailer chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to supply electrical energy to the motor to drive the driven axle and source electrical energy from the motor to slow motion of the driven axle. The system also includes a charging panel coupled to the trailer chassis and configured to couple to an external charging element. The system further includes a panel actuator configured to advance the charging panel from the trailer chassis to an open position to form a target gap between the external charging element and the charging panel and to retract the charging panel to a closed position to decouple the charging panel from the external charging element.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a bogie including: a chassis; a first set of latches configured to transiently engage a first subset of engagement features, in a first array of engagement features on a left rail and in a second array of engagement features on a right rail of the trailer, to retain the bogie below a floor of the trailer; a driven axle suspended from the chassis; and a motor coupled to the driven axle and configured to output torque to the driven axle and regeneratively brake the driven axle. The system further includes a battery assembly: including a second set of latches configured to transiently engage a second subset of engagement features, in the first array of engagement features and in the second array of engagement features, to retain the battery assembly adjacent the bogie; and configured to receive electrical energy from the motor.

Abstract: One variation of a system includes a kingpin: arranged on a proximal end of the trailer; includes a sensor configured to output a signal representing lateral forces and longitudinal forces applied to the kingpin; and configured to couple to a tow vehicle. The system further includes an interface including a joystick and a kingpin interface configured to transfer forces, applied to the joystick, into the kingpin. The system also includes a controller configured to: access the signal from the sensor; based on the signal, calculate a magnitude of a force applied to the kingpin; calculate a first target speed of a first wheel of the trailer proportional to the magnitude; calculate a second target speed of a second wheel of the trailer proportional to the magnitude; and serve the first target speed and the second target speed to a drive system arranged on a distal end of the trailer.

Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle including locking storage containers may be used for item deliveries, rejections, returns, and/or third-party fulfillment. A delivery vehicle or robot may include a number of locking storage containers, an authorization interface, and one or more sensors to receive delivery requests, detect and authorize users, and control locker access at various delivery locations to allow users to receive delivered items, and reject or return items. The vehicle may also include a passenger compartment to transport one or more passengers. The vehicle may be reconfigurable to accommodate different combinations of lockers and/or passenger seats. An item delivery system may receive delivery requests and determine routes for delivery vehicles, including centralized delivery locations and/or direct deliveries to recipients.

Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle including locking storage containers may be used for item deliveries, rejections, returns, and/or third-party fulfillment. A delivery vehicle or robot may include a number of locking storage containers, an authorization interface, and one or more sensors to receive delivery requests, detect and authorize users, and control locker access at various delivery locations to allow users to receive delivered items, and reject or return items. The vehicle may also include a passenger compartment to transport one or more passengers. The vehicle may be reconfigurable to accommodate different combinations of lockers and/or passenger seats. An item delivery system may receive delivery requests and determine routes for delivery vehicles, including centralized delivery locations and/or direct deliveries to recipients.

Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle including locking storage containers may be used for item deliveries, rejections, returns, and/or third-party fulfillment. A delivery vehicle or robot may include a number of locking storage containers, an authorization interface, and one or more sensors to receive delivery requests, detect and authorize users, and control locker access at various delivery locations to allow users to receive delivered items, and reject or return items. The vehicle may also include a passenger compartment to transport one or more passengers. The vehicle may be reconfigurable to accommodate different combinations of lockers and/or passenger seats. An item delivery system may receive delivery requests and determine routes for delivery vehicles, including centralized delivery locations and/or direct deliveries to recipients.

Abstract: An autonomous delivery vehicle including locking storage containers may be used for item deliveries, rejections, returns, and/or third-party fulfillment. A delivery vehicle or robot may include a number of locking storage containers, an authorization interface, and one or more sensors to receive delivery requests, detect and authorize users, and control locker access at various delivery locations to allow users to receive delivered items, and reject or return items. The vehicle may also include a passenger compartment to transport one or more passengers. The vehicle may be reconfigurable to accommodate different combinations of lockers and/or passenger seats. An item delivery system may receive delivery requests and determine routes for delivery vehicles, including centralized delivery locations and/or direct deliveries to recipients.

Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

Abstract: An over actuated system capable of controlling wheel parameters, such as speed (e.g., by torque and braking), steering angles, caster angles, camber angles, and toe angles, of wheels in an associated vehicle. The system may determine the associated vehicle is in a rollover state and adjust wheel parameters to prevent vehicle rollover. Additionally, the system may determine a driving state and dynamically adjust wheel parameters to optimize driving, including, for example, cornering and parking. Such a system may also dynamically detect wheel misalignment and provide alignment and/or corrective driving solutions. Further, by utilizing degenerate solutions for driving, the system may also estimate tire-surface parameterization data for various road surfaces and make such estimates available for other vehicles via a network.

Abstract: Vehicle ride can be improved using perception based suspension control on a vehicle. A computing system on the vehicle may receive a map of a road surface. The computing system may identify a trajectory of the vehicle relative to the road surface, and determine if a deformation exists in a track of one of the vehicle tires. The deformation may include a depression and/or a raised portion from the road surface. The computing system may calculate an adjustment to make to one or more suspension system components to negate or minimize the effects of the vehicle traveling over the deformation or roughness of the road, and may send an instruction to adjust the suspension components accordingly. Additionally, or alternatively, the computing system may determine that the deformation may be avoidable, in whole or in part, and may cause the vehicle to maneuver around the deformation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling functions associated with a back housing (104) that is attached to an electronic device (100). According to one aspect, the electronic device detects (902) attachment of the back housing, retrieves (904) information from the back housing, examines (906) the retrieved information to identify an aesthetic element of the back housing, and displays (910) a graphical representation of the aesthetic element as a digital wallpaper of the electronic device. In some embodiments, attachment of the back housing to the electronic device triggers performance (914) of a function associated with a functional element of the back housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling functions associated with a back housing (104) that is attached to an electronic device (100). According to one aspect, the electronic device detects (902) attachment of the back housing, retrieves (904) information from the back housing, examines (906) the retrieved information to identify an aesthetic element of the back housing, and displays (910) a graphical representation of the aesthetic element as a digital wallpaper of the electronic device. In some embodiments, attachment of the back housing to the electronic device triggers performance (914) of a function associated with a functional element of the back housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling functions associated with a back housing (104) that is attached to an electronic device (100). According to one aspect, the electronic device detects (902) attachment of the back housing, retrieves (904) information from the back housing, examines (906) the retrieved information to identify an aesthetic element of the back housing, and displays (910) a graphical representation of the aesthetic element as a digital wallpaper of the electronic device. In some embodiments, attachment of the back housing to the electronic device triggers performance (914) of a function associated with a functional element of the back housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling functions associated with a back housing (104) that is attached to an electronic device (100). According to one aspect, the electronic device detects (902) attachment of the back housing, retrieves (904) information from the back housing, examines (906) the retrieved information to identify an aesthetic element of the back housing, and displays (910) a graphical representation of the aesthetic element as a digital wallpaper of the electronic device. In some embodiments, attachment of the back housing to the electronic device triggers performance (914) of a function associated with a functional element of the back housing.